CHAPTER 209: NUMBERS

Despite the room being filled with seasoned warriors, everyone felt on edge. Everyone was acquainted with death, loss, and regret. The words spoken by their Tyrant rang out in everyone’s mind.

"Yes. Those who died by accident, civilians, are not exempt. Anyone who wishes for power will be given the ability to do so. Use Dominator to deceive, kidnap, or lobotomize. I will leave the specifics to you. But when my timeline is over, you must return by then."

To bring back every soul who died. There was an unspoken agreement between intelligence races. And it was the separation of civilians and warriors. Only true monsters had no such distinction.

And they forgot that the Weapons were a race born solely for battle. There was no Weapon who could be considered a civilian; in fact, that very word ran contrary to what their race was supposed to be.

In the silence, Elian reminded everyone of the dogma of their race: "Kill those you wish to kill, but save a hundred times that number."

He paused for a moment to let everyone regain their composure.

"I intend to stop this senseless violence. To do that, we need numbers. The choice given to everyone Weapon stands after they are reborn; should they choose to pass, you will let them. But for those who find purpose, they stay."

Elian had a simple thought about the matter.

There were no civilians. Just as there were no warriors. The term only came to be to separate those that could fight and those who could not. Meaning with enough power, the distinctions between the two would disappear altogether.

"As I will remain on Earth with Sunny, Flare, Silas, and the Flame Swallows for now, we will only create four legions. The fifth will be created after you return. The First legion will be led by Fluffy; her 2nd in command will be Zeta, and their Psychomancer will be Burny."

The Beowulf nodded and accepted the responsibility, "I understand. I will ensure the First Legion accomplishes our tasks."

Elian smiled and teased, "Don’t get too comfortable, it was supposed to be led by Father-in-law."

"Ha! That’s even better. I’ll be sure to protect my lover. Don’t worry. If there is one thing we got from you, it is your tendency to overprepare."

Pleased with her response, Elian then turned to Woody, "The Second Legion will be led by Woody. You may incorporate the Karnathians among your ranks if you wish. When the time comes, you may use this army as you see fit."

The words caused Woody’s eyes to glow. It was no secret that Woody was once a powerful Tyrant who fell from grace. Now, reborn, he could pursue vengeance without worry. And Elian would prepare an army for him; how could he not be pleased?

"Thank you for this gift, my Tyrant. I will never forget this kindness."

"You are welcome. I will give you Gamma as your second-in-command. Blooms will be your Psychomancer."

Woody cracked his neck, then began cracking his knuckles. Given that his appearance was an eye-catching muscular beefcake, he looked quite intimidating.

"I will ensure she remains safe. A number of my sons wish to join us. We, much like the First Legion, will fulfill our purpose, my Tyrant."

The patriarch of the Weapons gazed at the left side of the table. Specifically, he was looking at Yearns, the Filamentian spy from Virexar, the world of bugs.

"The Third Legion will be led by Epsilon. Beta will be your second in command. Your Psychomancer will be Yearns."

Without missing a beat, the rocket-snake-harpy bowed her head and placed her right hand over her left chest. "I, Epsilon, receive this task with gladness. We will make them tremble before the might of the Weapons of Valestra."

Expecting such a level of gusto, the Tyrant only nodded in passing.

"For the Fourth Legion, I will assign Ned as its commander."

"What? Me? I hardly tried leading an army before! Pick someone else, brother!"

But Elian shook his head and gazed at his friend with a warm expression.

"The Fourth Legion’s second in command will be Alpha. Charlotte and Katri will be their Psychomancers. Until either of them grows enough to operate independently, you three will remain together for the time being."

When Ned heard that Charlotte was going, his face grimaced. While he wanted to keep her safe, the commander to lead the legion would have the final say. Thus, not accepting the responsibility was the same as giving Charlotte’s life into someone else’s hands.

"That’s dirty. Now I have to accept," he whined.

"Indeed you do. Stop worrying; by then you would already be made of metal."

Elian’s comment made the former crusader wince. He unconsciously patted the vial he had just received, as if to check if it was still there.

Ned took a breath before asking, "Did it hurt?"

"Have Charlotte prepare a lot of ice. Like three school buses’ worth."

"Sigh, I guess that is only expected to become as powerful as you are. Still, I will do it. I changed my mind. I will take the Fourth Legion."

Elian raised his fist to Ned; they bumped their fists just like when they were students.

"I have confidence in you. If anyone can do it, it would be you. Don’t worry. Alpha is an excellent warrior and leader. He is the vice commander of the Slinky Battalion. Besides, you will have more people joining you."

Most of the named warriors were already assigned; those on administrative duty, like Sunny and her knights, were not part of the roster. His words at the table once again waited with bated breath, but rather than answer, he gave the floor to Bianca.

"Darling?"

"Yeah, I got it."

Bianca stood up. She stretched out her hands in front of her before closing her eyes. At once, a cold chill wrapped around the room. But the sensation went beyond mere temperature differences and touched everyone present more deeply.

Those who fought found the feeling familiar, while the others felt wary.

A colossal amount of mana raged out from Bianca like an explosion. It was thick, powerful, and turned the atmosphere oppressive. She then opened her eyes. Her irises turned gold, giving her the impression of a goddess.

Five others also had their eyes glow in shades of gold: Burny, Yearns, Blooms, Charlotte, and Katri, the Psychomancers.

"My fellow eternal. Do you feel them? The souls swirling around the city? I created an overlapping psycho-field around Crestfall. Do you hear their souls?"

The Weapons who obviously did not understand, stayed silent. But the Psychomancers all confirmed Bianca’s words in varying degrees of success.

"I do, Lady Bianca. There are thousands of them. Most are lingering around the battlegrounds," Burny answered.

Yearns smiled as she looked towards the three former battlefields.

"I as well, Anchor. Who knew that souls could feel so warm? Their emotions feel pleasant."

Blooms, however, began crying in sorrow, "Pleasant? They are in agony, terrified and desperate. How can I help them, my Anchor?"

While the first three went beyond just hearing them, the two humans looked lost.

"Char, did you hear anything?"

"Nope. I would say they are full of crap, but I feel like I know they are there."

"It’s okay, Lottie; I am sure you’ll get better."

"As Commander Patel said, it is only the first day; please do not get discouraged, Lady Charlotte and Lady Katri."

Bianca didn’t bother to cater to the humans who couldn’t keep up. Instead, she addressed the first three.

"Good. The emotions you can hear depend on your empathy. Now here are Elian’s and my tasks for you three. Go to each location with your Commanders and vice commanders. Use our skills and reinforce your numbers with as many as you can bring back."

The three Psychomancers froze. They were just barely able to get their bearings, yet Bianca already expected them to act like hers.

"Remember to talk to the souls before binding them. It is far better to spell out what they are getting themselves into; they tend to react better that way. Finally, I will assign who goes where: Yearn’s head to the Astrapheia battlefield, Burny to the Gnareth, Blooms, the Sylphane one."

Elian continued, "Fluffy, Woody, Epsilon, guard them. I will send your vice commanders to meet you. Once the Psychomancers are prepared, hold their hands and call the skill ’Awaken’. The skill will do the rest."

"Yes, Tyrant!"

The members of the First, Second, and Third legions all left. Leaving only the fourth as well as the defense team.

"As for you two. Follow us."

Bianca and Elian led those who remained to the back of the guild building. There were cages and cages of wild animals.

"When I started, controlling the souls of actual humans was impossible. It was far easier to use simple-minded animals. The stupider, the better. For now, start your training with that; I will guide you both. Mom, if you please?"

With a single snap of her finger, every animal in the yard suddenly convulsed and vomited blood. It was horrifying and made Ned, Katri, and Charlotte vomit in disgust.

Elian, however, grew amazed. "How did you do that, Mother-in-law?"

"Dominator particles in the air. Combine them in the bloodstream and shape them into needles that rupture brains or hearts."

"..."

Despite being part of her family, Elian grew terrified by Silent’s prowess. He began to pity the big three whom he would meet soon enough.